Starry Puffer (aka Stellate) with bubble belly ...

[Sandee]

Hello Puffer friends, sorry I haven't been around lately - I've been spending a ton of time with the reef tank lately ... but did find a beautiful Starry Puffer (aka Stellate) last week. He's doing well - about 6" - eating like a pig. He's in a 120g with a few other guys (Lookdowns, Wrasse, Tang, ...). Here's my question - ever since we got him, he's had 'bubble belly'. Looks like he's got a slim-coat, with bubbles stuck on him. I do have bubbles running in the tank, but he's not dancing in them, as if that's how he got them. Any ideas?

Hope all is well - happy summer Puffer-ing!

[DRRT]

back in the day when i had a puffer, they had bubbles on their belly and it never caused them harm.

have you looked at the puffer pedia on that particular puffer? these guys grow to about 4 feet long and, well, according to puffer pedia, the minimum tank size is the ocean. i have seen your tanks and i know you take care of your fish quite well, but i think a small swimming pool for a puffer this size costs a sizable fortune.

[splitadams]

Awesome puffer!!
ive just been reading about it and aparently in captivity its rare they get bigger then 2 foot
tho i wonder if thats because nobody is prepared to accomodate a fish that large and they end up stunted

good luck with this fella

[mrgreen]

I just looked at your tank photos. My goodness! How many tanks and how many fish do you have?

I like the look of your starry puffer.

[Sandee]

I have about 16 to 18 tanks at any given time. Yup, lots of fun (and buckets of salt around here)!

Yes too - this guy will get big ... but you know, some other nut might buy him and throw 'um in a 20g tank for 4 years. At least we try. Our Lookdowns are going to get big too - and we're planning on 'growing' the tank with them (and the puffer). So, we do our best I guess.

He's having a good time in his new cave ... take a look: http://www.sandeeland.com/FishCam - FishCam #4

[mrgreen]

I missed it. Your fishies is all sleepies- at least in the dark!

Mine are up and about. Dragon goby is doing his rounds. Earlier, he was redecorating his cave, spitting out rocks into a new pile outside. lol

[Sandee]

Lights on around 11am eastern. Light off in the evening between 10pm and 11pm!

Catch us then!

[mrgreen]

Thanks, Sandee. I brought up your cam. page. How fun! I'm gonna look for your puffers. hehe... That is some tank room you have!

[DRRT]

Perhaps you can have a two wall aquarium, one that literally covers two walls and even has a corner for the fish to turn in?